Any differences to be expected between Belgium and Sweden assembled cars?

[jrschwit]

I just acquired a second '01 V70 T5, to be either put on the road or become a parts car (neither are running ATM). One was built in Sweden in Jan '01 and the other in Belgium in Sept '01. Aside from having significantly different options, the only apparent difference between them is the Belgian having 17" wheels vs the Swede's 16". The VINs differ only in the digit for build factory and the sequence #s (last six digits).

A couple questions, mostly out of curiosity but possibly relevant if I end up swapping components:
- I presume components will be virtually all interchangeable? For example, both trans are model 55-50SN
- Is there a consensus that there is notable difference between cars produced in either plant?
- Is my presumption correct that the sequence numbers will be shared between factories, i.e. no two cars with the same sequence #?
- Is my presumption correct that the difference between wheel size explained simply as different optional configs? The Swedish car has wheels I recognize as OEM Volvo from photos but the Belgian car's wheels I don't recognize and I have yet to take a wheel off to look at the backside.

Any comments appreciated.
Jim

[BlackBart]

The Belgian ones can speak French.

[matthew1]

And Flemish!

In all my time reading and writing about Volvos, I don't think I've come across any serious argument that Sweden > Ghent or vice-versa. At least none that I remember. Not anything like the raging debates surrounding other brand's manufacturing in say China vs. US, etc.

[abscate]

The Belgian factory ran on time as they used Ghent charts.

[volvolugnut]

My original Volvo, a 1975 245, was built in Belgium. It was a solid car to the end at near 250K miles and 30 years on the road.
volvolugnut

[erikv11]

Yep, they are fundamentally the same car, though can expect to see some different options.

...A couple questions, mostly out of curiosity but possibly relevant if I end up swapping components:
- I presume components will be virtually all interchangeable? For example, both trans are model 55-50SN
yes, completely interchangeable
- Is there a consensus that there is notable difference between cars produced in either plant?
consensus: no notable difference
- Is my presumption correct that the sequence numbers will be shared between factories, i.e. no two cars with the same sequence #?
correct
- Is my presumption correct that the difference between wheel size explained simply as different optional configs?
yes
...

[BlackBart]

Maybe the Belgian ones have bigger (beer) cupholders.

[scot850]

The beer is also way better than Swedish beer!

I would not expect there to be any differences as parts would be sourced from same suppliers due to cost. If they were for the same market they should be the same. The only way there may be differences is if the car was a personal import or from a different market.

If you find out different, I'd love to know!

Neil.

[volvolugnut]

When I looked for parts for the 1975 245, there seemed to be part variations for brakes, steering and clutch. I sometimes had to look at the parts to get a brand name before ordering replacements. I don't know if these part supply variations were related to the build plant, but I suspect they were.
volvolugnut

[Oro]

Same as above. I/we have one Belgian built 2004 S60 and it is fundamentally no different than the three Gothenburg wagons I have had/have.